Vacuum cleaner



June 8, 1948.

Filed Sept. 20, 1944 R. L. HALLOCK VACUUM CLEANER '2 She eFs-Sheet 2 l I 'r 64- I I I I I I I I 46 32 Z /36- I38 I :4 50 g i I l I INVENTOR.

Patented June 8, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,443,102 7 VACUUM CLEANER Robert Lay Hallock, Larchmont, N. Y. Application September 20, 1944, Serial No. 554,879

24 Claims. 1

My invention relates to vacuum cleaners and more particularly to vacuum cleaners of the type wherein the motor-fan unit and the means for separating dust from the air are contained within a casing which is connected to the nozzle or other cleaning implement by means of a flexible hose.

In accordance with my invention, the dust separating member or primary filter is permanently secured within the casing and the dust separated from the air thereby is collected in a removable impervious container, such as a drawer. While a large percentage of the dirt will be deposited directl in the drawer, a certain amount thereof will adhere to the filter, even after the flow of air has ceased. Consequently, it is highly desirable to provide means for removing this dirt from the filter from time to time, and in accordance with my invention, I provide mechanism which automatically shakes the filter every time the motor is stopped.

The energy for shaking the filter is obtained from the inertia of the motor after the electric current has been interrupted, which energy otherwise would be dissipated. Inasmuch as the fan would normally continue to produce flow of air during the slowing down period after the current has been shut off, I provide valve means automatically operable in response to the interruption of the current for preventing flow of air through the filter While the latter is being shaken. Thus, there is no tendency resulting from air flow for the dust to adhere to the filter, or to be carried back to the filter during the shaking operation.

A further object of my invention is to Provide an improved means for guiding th air in the neighborhood of the filter so that the heavier particles of dirt are thrown away iron-i the filter and are deposited in a dirt receptacle, while only the finest particles are carried by the air to, and

deposited on, the filter.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved dust drawer arrangement, including means for sealing the drawer with respect to the casing while permitting convenient removal and insertion of the drawer.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification and of which:

Fig. l is a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a portion 01 the device shown in Fig. l, but drawn on a larger scale and showing certain 01' the parts in a. different position;

Fig. 3 is a top view of the device shown in Fig. 1, partially broken away to show certain interior construction; and

Fig. 4 is a wiring diagram connections.

Referring to the drawings. reference character designates generally a casing of a vacuum cleaner. The casing includes a base portion l2, an intermediate cylindrical portion H permanently secured to the base portion and an upper cylindrical portion it removably secured to the intermediate portion. The base portion 82 is formed with a fiat bottom i8 which is adapted to rest on a floor or other suitable horizontal supporting surface. The base portion is generally rectangular in shape, but is formed with an opening 20 through which'may be inserted and removed a dust drawer 22.

The front of the drawer carries a plate 24 which substantially closes the opening 20, but does not necessarily make an airtight seal. A handle member 26 is rigidly secured to the plate 24. The width of,the drawer 22 is somewhat less than the interior width of the base I? and a lever 28 is pivotally mounted on a pin 36 on each side of the exterior of the drawer. Each of these levers extends out beyond the plate 2-5, where they are showing theelectrlcal joined to a handle 32. A spring 3 5 is connected between each lever to and the side of the drawer and tends to pivot the lever in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 1. An abutment 8% is provided on the inner side wall of the base portion i? on each side of the drawer in such a position as to be contacted by the inner end of the lever 28 when the drawer is in place.

The upper edge of the drawer is preferably formed with a bead 3a which is adapted to make sealing contact with a gasket 40 carried by the top wall 82 of the base portion. v

The intermediate portion i4 is suitably secured within a circular opening formed in the top wall 42. The lower part of the intermediate portion is surrounded by a wall having a, frustroconical shape, the upper edge or the wall 44 being secured to the cylindrical portion it, while the lower edge is secured to the top wall 4'2. The wall 44 is formed with an opening in which is located a coupling member 46 to which may be connected a suitable hose leading to a nozzle or other suction cleaning implement. As is shown more clearly in Fig. 3, the lower part of the ylindrical portion it within the wall 44 isv cut spaced blocks away for about one quarter of its peripheral extent to provide an opening 46 for establishing communication from the space 66 formed between the cylindrical portion and the wall 44 to the space within the cylindrical portion. A curved wall 52 is disposed opposite the opening 46 and extends from the conical wall 44 to the cylindrical portion I4, as is clearly shown in Fig. 3.

The upper end of the cylindrical portion I4 is provided with a gasket 64 which provides an airtight seal with the upper portion I6. Secured to the bottom of the cylindrical portion I6 is a ring 56 which carries a plurality of peripherally 56 made of rubber or other suitable vibration absorbing material. Suspended within the ring 56 by means of these blocks is a motor-fan unit designated generally by reference character 66. This unit includes a fan housing 62 to the lower end of which is secured an electric motor 64. The upper end of the armature shaft 66 of the motor carries one or more stages of fan blading 66. The top wall 16 of the fan housing is perforated so as to permit discharge of air from, the fan to within the upper portion I6.

Secured around the ring 56 is a dust separating member or primary filter 12 which has the general shape of a cylindrical bag. A plurality of substantially rigid strips I4 depend from the ring 56 in order to space the side of the bag I2 from the fan housing 62.

Located within the bottom of the bag-shaped dust separator I2 is a perforated dished disc I6, the outer edge of which preferably carries a gasket I6 which engages the material of the bag. The central portion of disc I6 is formed as an opening surrounded by a. conical wall 66. As shown in Fig. 1, this wall rests on the exterior conical surface of an outer ball race 62. The inner race 84 is eccentrically mounted on the lower end of the armature shaft 66. The eccentric bear- 4 H6, through which air which enters from the opening 96 must pass on its way to an exhaust opening II2. As shown, a plurality of air guide vanes II4 are arranged across this opening and preferably form part of a gate pivoted at II6 so that they may be swung inwardl to permit the insertion of a hose in the opening II2 if it is desired to use the cleaner for blowing.

Secured to the under side of the wall- I66 above the solenoid 96 is a circuit breaker which includes a pair of contact carrying arms I26 and I22. Arm

ing is counterbalanced by means of eccentricaliy located weights 66, whereby the shaft as a whole is dynamically balanced. 'A plurality of resilient arms 86 are carried by the motor housing and contact the upper surface of disc 16 to thereby urge the wall 66 into engagement with the outer bearing race 62. An imperforate cap 66 is secured to the lower side of disc 16 underneath the opening therein so as to collect any oil or grease which might drop from the lower end of the armature shaft, thereby preventing it from reaching the filter. The lower end of the motor housing is formed with a plurality of openings 92 through which air passes to the inlet of the fan housing 62, thus assuring adequate cooling of the motor.

The upper portion I6 is formed with a lower wall 94 in which is formed an opening 96. Mounted on the top wall 16 of the fan housing in alignment with the opening 96 is a solenoid 96, the armature I66 of which carries a bell shaped valve member I62. The lower flared skirt of this valve member is adapted to cooperate with a gasket I64 which surrounds the opening 96 to prevent flowof air through the opening.

An intermediate wall I66 extends across the cylindrical portion I6, above which wall may be located a cord reel for the electric cord I66, but as such reel forms no part of the present invention, it is not illustrated. The side wall of upper portion I6 may be formed with an opening communicating with'the space between walls 94 and I66, through which opening may be inserted and removed a secondary or fine fi l??? I2: is resilient and is formed with a hook shaped end I24 which extends between the arm I26 and the upper end of the armature I66 of the solenoid so that, when the latter is raised it contacts the end I24 and deflects the arm I22 upwardly to thereby open the circuit.

The top of portion I6 is provided with a suitable carrying handle I26, together with a suitable step switch I26 for manually controlling the supply of electric current from the cord I66 to the motor 64. r

' A suction relief valve is preferably provided in the wall of intermediate portion I4. As shown in Fig. l, the wall is formed with an opening I66 covered by a perforated cap I62 which is secured to the wall. This cap carries a spindle I64 on which is slidably mounted a valve member I66 provided with a suitable gasket for sealing against the interior of the wall. A spring I36 is compressed between the valve member and a nut or other suitable abutment I46 on the inner end of spindle I34 and urges the valve to closed position.

Fig. 4 is a wiring diagram showing the electric circuit of the parts already described. As here shown, the coil of solenoid 96 is connected in parallel with the motor 64 so as to be energized whenever the motor is supplied with current. The step switch I26 and the circuit breaker actuated by the armature I66 of the solenoid are each connected between the motor and the cord I66, whereby opening of either the switch or the circuit breaker interrupts the flow of current to both the motor and the solenoid coil.

The above-described device operates as follows:

In Fig. l the various parts are shown in the positions which they occupy when the motor 64 is not operating. Thus, the disc 16 is urged downwardly, both by gravity and the force of resilient arms 66 so that conical portion 66 is in engagement with the outer ball race 62, and armature I66 is in its lower position where it is held by gravity and consequently valve member I62 is in a position to permit flow of air through opening 96. If the cord I66 is plugged in to a suitable source of current and the step switch I26 is closed, current is supplied to both the motor and to the coil of solenoid 96. The latter is thus energized so as to hold the armature thereof in its lowermost position. The supply of current to the motor causes the armature shaft 66 thereof to rotate and the eccentrlcally mounted ball bearing at the lower end of the shaft imparts a circular oscillat ing movement to the disc 16. However, as soon as the motor starts, the fan blading 66 creates a flow of airinwardly through the coupling 46 from the hose attached thereto, and this air must pass through the primary filter 12 to reach the inlet of the fan. The filter oflers an appreciable resistance to the flow of the air and consequently a lower pressure exists within the filter than within the space between the filter and the casing I4. This causes that portion' or the filter between the lower ends of the support I4 and the disc l to e drawn inwardly towards the motor, thus adheredto the filter.

her for the filter is not moved by the eccentric ball bearing.

Dust laden air which enters through the coupling l6 fiows to the left, as shown in Fig. 3, through the space 50 and thence through the opening "to the interior of the cylindrical portion II. As it passes through the opening 46 centrifugal force keeps the heavier particles away from the filter and as the velocity decreases the heavier particles of dirt are precipitated to within the dust drawer 22, without having The lighter particles are carried with the air to the filter I2, the air passing through the filter, while the dirt adheres to the outer surface thereof. The air which is passed through the filter continues through the openings 92 and around the motor windings and thence to the inlet of the fan housing 82. From the fan, the air is discharged through the perforated plate I and flows through the opening 68. The flow of air through this opening tends to lift the bell shaped valve member I02, but the solenoid prevents such movement of the valve member. .After flowin through the opening 96 the air passes through the secondary or fine filter I I0 and thence through the exhaust opening I I2 to the atmosphere.

When the step switch I26 is again operated to interrupt the flow of current to the motor 84, it also deenergizes solenoid 98, This permits the air to immediately lift the valve member I 02, thus stopping flow of air through the cleaner. This causes a rapid equalization of air pressure on either side of the primary filter 12, thus permitting the resilient arms 80 to force the disc 16 downwardly to bring th conical wall 80 into engagement with the outer race 82 of the eccentric ball bearing. Even though the supply of current to the motor has been interrupted, the armature thereof is still rotating rapidly and has sumcient inertia to continue to rotate for several seconds while the'shakin member I6 is engaged with the ball bearing. As previouslystated, this imparts to the member I6 a rapid rotary oscillating motion which vigorously shakes the filter I2. Inasmuch as there is no fiow of air through the filter at this time, the dust which previously has been adhering thereto is shaken loose and settles into the dust drawer 22.

It will be noted that this shaking takes place every time the motor is shut off and hence it is not necessary to rely on the operator remembering to shake the bag periodically.

Th circuit breaker is provided as a safety feature to eliminate any possibility of the filter being continuously shaken if, after the switch I28 has beenopened, itwere closed almost immediately and before the motor had stopped coasting. As above described, opening of the switch I28 deenergizes the solenoid, thus permitting the air to lift the valve member I02. However, if the motor were again started while the valve member were so lifted, the accompanying energization of the solenoid might not produce sufficient magnetic force to pull the valve open against the force of the air. If this were to occur, the filter shaking member 16 would remain in engagement with the eccentric ball bearing because there would be no fiowof air to distort the filter, and the latter would be shaken as long as the motor continued possibility of to operate. This would result in unnecessary wear on the parts, particularly on the regular motor bearings, especially since the motor would be operating at substantially full speed, whereas normally it is slowing down while the shaking takes place. The circuit breaker prevents the such an occurrence, inasmuch as raising of the valve member I02 automatically lifts the arm I22 and hence maintains the circuit open at this point as long as the valve is closed. Consequently, even if the step switch I28 were closed, the motor would not start until It had slowed down sufficiently so that the air flow produced by the fan would not be enough to hold the valve member I02 up.

The suction relief valve I36 is provided to prevent the possibility of the filter being continuously shaken if the flow of air were interrupted by any obstruction in the inlet, such as might occur if the operator placed her hand over the end of the hose or ifthe latter became badly clogged with dirt. Such interruption causes the pressure within the intermediate portion I4 to drop and consequently atmosphere pressureacting on valve I36 opens the latter against the force of spring I38, thus permitting sufficient airfiow'to take place to maintain the filter in displaced position, which in turn holds the shaking member out of engagement-with the eccentric. The strength of spring I30 is so chosen as to keep the valve I36 closed during normal operation, but to permit the valve to open before the pressure in the intermediate portion falls to such a low value that the shaking member would engage the eccentric; h

When it is desired to empty the dust drawer, it may be removed by pivoting the lever 20 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 1. This may be done conveniently by placing the'fingers under the rigid handle 26 with the thumb on the handle 32 and moving the latter downward, This permits the drawer to drop away from the gasket 40 and hence the drawer may be withdrawn through the opening 20 and emptied. In order to replace the drawer, the handle 32 is again moved towards the handle 26 and the drawer inserted through the opening 20. When the drawer is in place, the handle 32 is released, whereupon the springs 36 pivot it is a counter-clockwise direction, thus causing the inner ends of the levers 28 to bear against the lift the drawer into contact with the gasket 40. During operation, the interior of the drawer is maintained at a sub-atmospheric pressure, and consequently atmospheric pressure acting on the bottom of the drawer aids the springs in maintaining a tight seal between the top of the drawer and the gasket 40.

While I have'shown one more or less specific embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that this has been done for the purpose of illustration'only and that the scope of my in vention is not to be limited thereto, but is to be determined from the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a vacuum cleaner, a filter, a fan for producing flow of air through said filter, a motor for operating said fan, means for supplying power to said motor, means for interrupting the supply of power to said motor, means for stopping flow of air through said filter when the supply of power is interrupted and While the motor is still rotating and means automatically operative by the motor to shake said filter while the fiow of abutments 36 and to thus 3. In a vacuum cleaner,'a filter, a fan for producing fiow of air through said filter. a motor for operating said fan, means for supplying power to said motor, means for interruptingthe supply of power to said motor, means for stopping fiow of air through said filter substantially immediately upon the interruption of said supply of power, and means operative in response to the stopping of fiow of air through the filter for utilizing the inertia of the moving parts of said motor for shaking said filter when said supply of power is interrupted.

4. In a vacuum cleaner, a filter, a fan for producing flow of air through said filter, an electric motor for operating said fan, a switch for controlling the supply of current to said motor, valve means operable in response to opening of said switch for interrupting flow of air through said filter, and means operative by the inertia of the armature of said motor in response to the stop ping of air fiow through the filter for shaking said filter.

5. In a vacuum cleaner, a filter, a fan for producing fiow of air through said filter, a motor for operating said fan, means for supplying power to said motor, means for interrupting the supply of power to said motor, means for stopping fiow of air through said filter substantially immediately upon the interruption of said supply of power, an eccentric driven by said motor. a shaking member associated with said filter, and means operative in response to the interruption of the flow of air through the filter for engaging said shaking member with said eccentric. V 6. In a vacuum cleaner, a filter, a fan for producing fiow or air through said filter, an electric 'motor for operating said fan, a switch for controlling the supply of current to said motor, valve means operable in response to opening of said switch for interrupting fiow of air through said filter, an eccentric driven by said motor, a shaking member associated with said filter, and means operative in response to the closing or said valve for engaging, said shaking member with said eccentric.

'7. In a vacuum cleaner, a filter, a fan for producing fiow of air through said filter, an electric motor for operating said fan, a switch for controlling the supply of current to said motor, valve means operable in response to opening of said switch for interrupting fiow of air through said filter, an eccentric driven by said motor, a shak ing member associated with said filter, and means operative in response to air fiow for maintaining said shaking member out of engagement with said eccentric when said fan is producing fiow of air an for engaging said member with said eccentric when the fiow of air is interrupted by the closing of said valve.

8. In a vacuum cleaner, a casing, a filter, means for supporting a portion of said filter in fixed position in said casing, a fan for producing flow of air through said filter, another portion of said filter being displaceable by the pressure diflerence resulting from flow of air therethrough, an electric motor for operating said fan, a switch for controlling the supply 0! current to said mo- .tor, valve means operable in response to opening of said switch for interrupting fiow'of air through said filter, an eccentric driven by said motor,

and a shaking member connected to the dis placeable portion of said filter, said member being held out of engagement with said eccentric when said filter is displaced due to flow or air therethrough and engaging said eccentric when the flow of air is interrupted by the closing or said valve.

9. In a vacuum cleaner, a casing, a tubular filter, means for supporting the upper end of said filter in fixed position in 'said casing, a tan for producing flow of air through said filter, the lower end of said filter being displaceable vertically by the pressure difference resulting from fiow of air through the filter, an electric motor for operating said fan, a switch for controlling the supply of current to said motor, valve means operable in response to opening of said switch for interrupting fiow of air through said filter, an eccentric driven by said motor, and a shaking member connected to the lower end of said filter, said member being held out of engagement with said eccentric when the lower end of said filter is displaced upwardly due to fiow of air through the filter and engaging said eccentric when the flow of air is interrupted by the closing of said valve.- v

10. In a vacuum cleaner, a casing, a tubular filter, means for supporting the upper end of said filter in fixed position in said casing, resilient means for urging the lower end of said filter downwardly, a fan for producing flow of air through said filter, the lower end of said filter being displaceable upwardly against ,the'actio'n .of said resilient means by the pressure diil'erence resulting from fiow of air through the ill-- ter, an electric motor for operating said fan, a switch for controlling the supply of current to said motor, valve means operable in response to opening of said switch for interrupting flow of air through said filter, an eccentric driven by said motor, and a shaking member connected to the lower end of said filter, said member being held out of engagement with said eccentric when the lower end of said filter is displaced upwardly due to flow of air through the filter and engaging said eccentric under the influence of said resilient means when the fiow of air is interrupted by the closing of said valve.

11. In a vacuum cleaner, a casing, a tubular filter, means for supporting the upper end of said filter in fixed position in said casing, a fan. for producing fiow of air through said filter, the I trically on the shaft of said motor, and a shaking member connected to the lower end of said filter, said member being held out of engagement with said outer race when the lower end of said -filter is displaced upwardly due to flow of air through the filter and engaging said outer race when the air fiow is interrupted by the closing of said valve.

12, In a vacuum cleaner, a' filter, a fan for producing fiow of air through said filter, an electric motor for operating said tan, a manually operable switch for controlling the supply of current to said motor, valve means operable in response to opening of said switch for interrupting fiow of air through said filter, an eccentric driven 'by said motor, a shaking member associated with said filter, means operative upon the interruption of the fiow of air through the filter for engaging said shaking member with said eccentric, and a second switch in series with said manually operable switch arranged to be opened automatically by the closing of said valve.

13. Ina vacuum cleaner, a filter, a fan for producing fiow of air through said filter, an electric motor for operating said fan, a switch for controlling the supply of current to said motor, valve means operable in response to opening of said switch for interrupting fiow of air through said filter, an eccentric driven by said motor, a shaking member associated with said filter, means operative in response to air flow for maintaining said shaking member out of engagement with said eccentric when saidfan is producing fiow of air and for engaging said member with said eccentric when the Bow of air is interrupted by the closing of said valve, and a second switch in series with said manually operable switch arranged to be opened automatically by the closing of said valve.

14. In a vacuum cleaner, a casing, an electric motor mounted within said casing with the shaft thereof extending in substantially a. vertical direction, a Ian at one end of said motor, a tubular filter surrounding said motor and fan, means for supporting the upper end of said filter in fixed position in said casing, the lower end of said filter being displacea-ble vertically by the pressure difference resulting from fiow of air produced by the fan through the filter, a switch for controlling the supply of current to said motor, valve means operable in response to ,opening of said switch for interrupting flow of air through said filter, an eccentric driven by the lower end of said motor shaft, a shaking member connected to the lower end of said filter, said member being held out of engagement with said eccentric when the lower end of said filter is displaced upwardly due to fiow of air through the filter and engaging said eccentric when the fiow of air is interrupted by the closing of said valve. I

15. In a vacuum cleaner, a casing having an inlet and an outlet, a. tubular filter, means for supporting the upper end of said filter in fixed position in said casing with space between the tubular side of the filter and the casing, a fan for producing flow of air from said inlet through said filter, air guide means for directing the air into said space tangentially with respect to said filter, the lower end of said filter being displaceable vertically by the pressure diiference resulting from flow of air inwardly through said filter to said fan, an electric motor for operating said fan, a switch for controlling the supply of current to said motor, valve means disposed between said fan and said outlet and operable in response to opening of said switch for interrupting flow of air through said filter, an eccentrlc driven by said motor, and a shaking member connected to the lower end of said filter, said member being held out of engagement with said eccentric when the lower end of said filter is dis-' 10 placed upwardly due to flow of air through the filter ,and engaging said eccentric when the fiow of air is interrupted by the closing of said valve.

16. In a vacuum cleaner, a filter, a fan for producing flow of air through said filter, a motor for operating said tan, means for supp ying power to said motor, means for interrupting the supply 01' power to said motor, means for stopping fiow of air through said filter substantially immediately upon the interruption 01' said supply of power, an eccentric mounted on the shaft of said motor, means for counterbalancing said eccentric to dynamically balance said shaft, a shaking member associated with said filter, and

means operative upon the interruption of said supply of power for engaging said shaking member with said eccentric.

17. In a vacuum cleaner, a filter, a fan for producing flow of air through said filter, an electric motor for operating said fan, a switch for controlling the supply of current to said motor, valve means disposed in the nether air dew and so arranged that the. flowing air tends to close the valve, a solenoid for opening said valve and holding it open against the force of the air, said solenoid being connected so as to be deenergized by the opening of said switch, and means automatically operative to shake said filter while the flow of air is interrupted by the closing of said valve.

18. In a vacuum cleaner, a filter, a fan for pro .ducing fiow of air through said filter, an electric motor for operating said fan, a switch for controlling the supp il of current to said motor, valve means disposed in the path of air flow and so arranged that the flowing air tends to close the valve against the force of gravity, a solenoid for holding said valve open against the force of the air, said solenoid being connected so as to be deenergized by the opening of said switch, and means automatically operative to shake said in. ter while the flow of air is interrupted by the closing of said valve.

19. In a vacuum cleaner, a filter, a fan for producing flow of air through said filter, an electric motor for operating said fan, a switch for controlling the supply of current to said motor, valve means disposed in the path of air flow and so arranged that the fiowing air tends to close the valve against the force of gravity, a solenoid for holding said valve open against the force of the air, said solenoid being connected so as to be deenergized bythe opening of said switch, an eccentric driven by said motor, a shaking member associated with said filter, means operative upon the interruption of the flow of air through the filter by the closing of said valve for engaging said shaking member with. said eccentric, and a second switch in series with the first-mentioned switch and arranged to be opened automatically by the closing of said valve.

20. In a vacuum cleaner, a casing, a tubular filter, means for supporting one end of said filter in fixed position in said casing, resilient means for urging the other end of said filter away from the first-mentioned end, a fan for producing flow of air through said filter, said other end of said filter being displaceable towards said first-mentioned end against the action of said resilient means by the pressure difference resulting from How of air through the filter, an electric motor for operating said fan, a switch for controlling the supply of current to said motor, valve means operable in response to opening of said switch for interrupting fiow of air through said filter,

' an eccentric driven by. saidmotor, and a shaking 11 member connected to said other end of said filter, said member being held out of engagement with said eccentric when said other end or said filter is displaced towards said first-mentioned end due to flow of air through the filter and engaging said eccentric under the influence or said resilient means when the flow of air is interrupted by the closing of said valve.

21. In avacuum cleaner, a casing having an inlet and an outlet, a filter, means for supporting a portion or said filter in fixed position in said casing, a fan for producing fiow or air from said inlet through said filter, another portion of said I filter being displaceable by the pressure diflerence resulting from fiow of air therethrough, an

controlling the supply of current to said motor, valve means operable in response to opening of said switch for interrupting flow of air through said shaking member connected to the displaceable portion of said filter, said member being held out of engagement with said eccentric when said filter is displaced due to flow of air therethrough and engaging said eccentric when the flow of air is interrupted 'by the closing of said valve, and a vacuum relief valve in said casing for admittin air to said filter in the event fiow through said inlet is interrupted.

22. In a vacuum cleaner, a casing, a flexible filter within said casing, a movable supp rt for a portion or said filter, a motor-tan unit within said casing for drawing air through said flexible filter, a shaft for said motor-tan unit and an eccentric on the said shaft engageable with said movable support for moving said filter, said filter being operable in response to the air passing therethrough to withdraw said movable support from engagement with said eccentric.

23. In a vacuum cleaner, a filter, a fan for profiiter, an eccentric driven by said motor, a

I electric motor for operating said ran, a switch for ducing fiow or air through said filter, valve means operable to interrupt the fiow "or air through the filter, a shaking member operably associated with said filter, an actuator for operating said shaking member, and means responsive to the interruption 0! air fiow resulting from operation or said valve ior causing said actuator to operate said shaking member.

24. A suction cleaner comprising a casing. a tan motor unit disposed in said casing for moving air therethrough, a tubular filter movably mounted in thepath or fiow of air through said casing, means supporting said filter and driven by the shaft or said fan motor unit for imparting to said filter a gyratory movement about the axis or said shaft, said last-mentioned means including a gyratory element eccentrlcally con-- nected to and driven by the shaft of the tan motor unit and on which said filter is movably mounted, and means for preventing rotation of said filter.

ROBERT LAY HALLOCK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the I fileof this patent:

' UNITED STATES PATENTS Germany Nov. 27, 1935 

